The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"FASCHING"

FASCHING IS A CARNIVAL LIKE A PARADE WHICH BEGINS ON THE 6TH
( SIXTH ) OF JANUARY UNTIL THE TUESDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY. THE
PEOPLE IN GERMANY DURING THE "FASCHING" PARADE IN COSTUMES OF ALL
KINDS AND HAVE MANY DECORATED FLOATS. ALSO A PRINCE AND PRINCESS
WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN CHOSEN FOR THIS OCCASION ON THE 11TH
( ELEVENTH ) OF NOVEMBER, APPEAR IN DANCES AROUND THE CITY. IN A
FEW PLACES THE PEOPLE WALK ON STILTS AND WEAR MASKS SO AS TO SCARE
THE EVIL SPIRITS OF LONG AGO. THE PEOPLE ENJOY THE MASQUERADES,
DANCES, AND FLOATS, WHICH COST THEM A GOOD SUM OF MONEY. THEREFORE,
ON ASH WEDNESDAY THE PEOPLE GO TO A WELL OR SPRING AND WASH
OUT THEIR PURSES BECAUSE THEY ARE EMPTY AFTER ALL THE EXPENSES OF
THE FASCHING.

Data entry tech comment: FASCHING MEANS RUNNING AROUND CRAZILY. (TRANSLATED FROM THE ANCIENT
GERMANIC WORD VASEN.)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): WATER

Date learned: 11-00-1970